MESSAGE FROM THE DEMOCRATIC WHIP

On Wednesday, Congress reached a bipartisan agreement to reopen the federal government and ensure that America pays its bills. Federal employees returned to their jobs, our government is open and working for the American people and we have avoided defaulting on our financial obligations for the first time in U.S. history, providing some certainty for our families, business and economy. I’m pleased that we are finally moving forward with a budget conference so that we can craft a responsible, bipartisan agreement that will replace the irrational sequester and pursue a balanced path forward to reduce our deficits.

However, it’s unfortunate that for 16 days Americans had to endure the unnecessary Republican government shutdown and political brinksmanship that threatened our economy, our nation’s credibility and the confidence Americans have in their government. I remain hopeful that over the next few months Congress will reach a long-term, bipartisan, and balanced solution to put our nation back on a fiscally-sustainable path, rather than continuing Republicans’ strategy of governing by crisis and partisanship.

While our financial and economic issues will remain at the forefront, I am also hopeful that in the coming weeks, Congress can take action on other areas of concern in our nation, including passing job creation legislation, comprehensive immigration reform, and a farm bill that includes adequate funding for nutrition assistance programs.

Sincerely yours,

STENY H. HOYER

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